Train in Yorkshire crashes at 80mph: Vandalism on the track

Police say it's a 'miracle' the train did not overturn

A high-speed train crash in South Yorkshire was caused by vandals placing a large object on the line.

Transport Police have said it is a "miracle" that the train did not overturn.

The train was travelling at 80mph when it collided with a large piece of plant machinery just outside Swinton railway station in Mexborough on Friday morning, reports the Star.

The crash caused huge disruption to large parts of the rail network across the north of England.

British Transport Police are now investigating the incident.

There were no passengers on the CrossCountry train at the time of the crash.

The three crew members on board the train were "shaken" but uninjured, reports the Doncaster Free Press.

The train suffered extensive damage to its front and undercarriage in the incident and could only be moved from the track at 5pm.

The blockage caused severe delays and disruption to Northern Rail services between Leeds, Doncaster and Sheffield, CrossCountry services between Newcastle, Birmingham New Street and down to Plymouth and Reading, as well as First TransPennine Express services between Cleethorpes and Manchester Airport.

Police believe it was a deliberate attempt to derail the train.

Detective Chief Inspector Iain Miller said: "The train, which was travelling at about 80 mph, stuck the machine, which we believe had been driven onto the tracks, and sustained extensive damage. The train was an empty stock train, no passengers were on board and the driver was uninjured.

"The incident resulted in disruption to services throughout the area on Friday whilst an investigation began to look at how the piece of machinery came to be on the track.

"We believe this was a deliberate attempt to derail a train. The fact that the train managed to stay on the tracks and upright after striking this obstruction is quite simply a miracle. The consequences if this had also been a busy commuter service would have been unthinkable."

Detectives are now appealing for anyone who may have been in the area between 5 and 7am on Friday morning to contact them as a matter of urgency.